Spikey, electro, guitar mangling, synth-pop, orchestral, and just plain weird - that's the sound of Norwich RIGHT NOW.

We're From Norwich No1 (Out on Mummy Where's the Milkman Records on 7^th July 2004) is a stark revelation that contrary to popular belief - there is a 'scene' in the depths of Norfolk - a bloody great one at that.

Featuring the likes of Magoo, Bearsuit, and Hyperkinako as well as up n coming young things Teknikov, Postalowa, and Le Tetsuo, this album looks set to finally put our fine city on the map of music cool.

Norwich is a strange place. There's not much for the kids to do see, so they start bands. Some play covers, or play new songs that sound like they should be covers - but this isn't the kind of music that We're From Norwich is all about.

It's about the kind of music that's bred out of, well, fuck knows! Alien abductions probably - goggle-eyed marshans that are messin' with the kids' heads.

What other explanation can there be for this mixed up cacophony of spanking newness? From the catchy organ led chord clashing, casio bleeping and chanting of Teknikov's UBahn through the electro post-rock of Posta Lowa's Okin and Bearsuit's aggressive stabs of guitar screech and keyboard dischord in Kiki Keep Me Company, this compilation could well be bred out of bright lights and implants.

Add to that quirky pop from Magoo, Hyper Kinako, The Gore Vidals, and El Sub and you'll be bombing up the A11 and heading for the circles in the sky before you know it.

Then there's the Rocknrollband who do as they say on the tin, Le Tetsuo and merch-music from Olinski featuring Toko.

But amongst the ear-bleed and frantic pop there is some calm. Interspersed acoustic meanderings from The Sunday Music, Horses Brawl, and The Rebeccas give relief from the abrasive slices of Ready-break energy.

So go on - marry your sister, sell up for a turnip farm, get ready for that anal probe and JOIN US.

We're From Norwich No 1 showcases 15 tracks from Norwich's most up and coming bands:

Teknikov Ubahn

Postalowa Okin

Bearsuit - Kiki Keep Me Company

Sunday Music - Live at the Playhouse

Rocknrollband - I Want Your Babies

The Rebeccas - Dark Blue Paintings

El Sub - Handy Man

Horses Brawl - Tamlyn End

Olinski featuring Toko 7 T Shirt

Le Tetsuo Nickers

Hyper Kinako - Biker Liker

Mono On Mono - Live at the Trowel and Hammer

Magoo - Banana Custard

Tonkyl - Conch Rock

The Gore Vidals - Diabolique

For more information check out our website, www.mummywheresthemilkman.tk, or join the howlbackhum mailing list, howlbackhum@hotmail.com for news of forthcoming releases & gigs. For all other queries please email Sean at mummywheresthemilkman@hotmail.com   

Editor's notes:

We're From Norwich No1 is the brainchild of local gig promoter Shane O'Connor Who has been organising and promoting the local gig night Howlback Hum since 1999.

Howlback Hum nights are held across the City in anything from basements or fields to pubs and bars.

"Fundamentally the nights acts as a platform for local bands to get out and play. Our aims are often small and hard to achieve but are special none the less," explained Shane.

In the gigs that he puts on, Shane strives to root out talent, quality and innovation at every step.

"Some times you just have to tell people that they can't play. Its always down to the quality of music really and it's never very mainstream. You can't dilute the type of music that I showcase just because the band will pull a big crowd. That's not what Howlback Hum is about. It's about new bands making new music that doesn't really sound like anything else."

The bands that feature on the compilation have all performed at the non-profit-making Howlback Hum nights.

"I decided to go ahead and make the compilation to help get the bands I put on noticed a bit more. It's mostly music from bands that never get further than live gigs because the music they play isn't very mainstream. All the major labels just don't seem to be interested in innovation so I guess its up to people like me to push it and get it heard."

The Howlback Hum motto:

Status - Sketchy

Style - Inconsistent

State - Optimistic

Stylus - Fluffy.

A ten point plan from a very nice man!! (Shane)

1. Live peacefully & amiably among men
2. Do what you have to do, without causing adultery . and they didand it was done
3. Before you die become wholly and spiritually complete
4. All people are equal, but some musicians and more suitable than others.
5. Respect all forms. Be polite a lot cos common courtesy surprises and in turn causes smiling..then we can all love each other 
6. We do things to help others and by that we help ourselves but the reward shall always be in total understanding of the foundation laid down. It shall not be false and will endure for all its worth.
7. We do not conform if we do it in a strange way. We shall be weird or subversive whilst healthy submissive. We may well conquer our world but if we do we must not become or remain as a movement with dogma
8. Music is wise. In this day and age it is a symptom of our ailing civilisation and gives us safe refuge from repression.
9. Grow more vegetables. Tend your animals. Fasten all gates. Dont drop litter.
10. You are what you eat. Dont eat what you friends eat, necessarily. Remember cigarettes, booze, TV and mobile phones are merely a slice of the time. Timelessness is a virtue.